Lake Shinji is a beautiful and serene lake located in the Shimane Prefecture of Japan. The lake is famous for its stunning sunsets and picturesque landscapes, which change depending on the time of day and season. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities, including boat tours and cycling, while enjoying the fresh air and natural beauty. The area around the lake is also known for its delicious local cuisine, including freshwater clams and blowfish. In addition, there is Matsue Castle (松江城) near Lake Shinji, which is also a very popular tourist spot.
Admission fee
Free
Opening hours
24 hours for all days
Access
Buses: about 10 min from JR Matsue station
※ Details are described as below
Attractions
Scenery of Lake Shinji that changes with time
Daytime view
Depending on the time of day you see Lake Shinji, you can enjoy different and wonderful views. During the day, you can see the scenery of white clouds, blue sky and calm water surface.
Evening view
The evening view is especially popular. sunset. Lake Shinji is known as one of the best spots in Japan to view the sunset. The view of the setting sun over the lake is breathtakingly beautiful, and the scenery is said to be particularly spectacular in the winter when the air is clear. There are several observation points around the lake. In addition, there are also sightseeing boats available that allow you to enjoy the sunset from the lake. The shadows of Yomegashima (嫁ヶ島) floating on Lake Shinji make the beautiful sunset view even more beautiful.
Depending on the setting of the sun and the season, the color of the sky changes to deep red. Even in the evening time, the view changes depending on the conditions, so there is no doubt that you can enjoy it no matter how many times you visit.
Night view
At night, you can see the city lights beautifully reflected on the calm surface of the water. This is a view that can only be seen because the lake is calm.
On a full moon night, you may be able to see a very fantastic view of Yomegashima and Lake Shinji under the moonlight.
Cycling around the lake
Cycling around Lake Shinji is a popular activity for both tourists and locals. The cycling course, which is approximately 45 kilometers long, takes you around the entire lake and offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and countryside. There are several rental shops in the area where visitors can rent bicycles for a reasonable fee. The cycling course is well-maintained and relatively flat, making it a comfortable ride for cyclists of all levels. Along the way, there are several rest stops and cafes where you can take a break and enjoy the scenery.
Lake Shinji is a registered wetland under the Ramsar Convention, so you may encounter a variety of birds and nature while cycling.
There is also an approximately 88km cycling course that passes around Lake Shinji and heads for Izumo Taisha (出雲大社), which is also recommended.
Boat Cruising
Boat cruising is a popular activity at Lake Shinji, and there are several types of boats available for visitors. The most popular one is the “Yomegashima-go,” a cruising boat that takes visitors to Yomegashima Island, which is located in the center of the lake. The island has a park with a playground and a small zoo, and visitors can also enjoy the view of the lake from the observatory tower. There are also paddle boats and row boats available for rent, which allow visitors to explore the lake at their own pace.
In the evening cruising, you can enjoy the sunset over Lake Shinji.
Lake Shinji Fireworks Festival
There are several annual events that take place around Lake Shinji. One of the most popular is the Lake Shinji Fireworks Festival, which takes place in August. The festival features a spectacular display of fireworks over the lake, and attracts thousands of visitors from all over Japan.
The climax of this festival, with more than 10,000 fireworks, is especially powerful and overwhelming.
Shimane Art Museum (島根県立美術館)
Shimane Art Museum, which stands on Shore of Lake Shinji, is an art museum with the theme of harmony with water. The museum exhibits domestic and foreign paintings, prints, crafts, photographs, and sculptures. In addition to its permanent collection, the museum holds special exhibitions throughout the year, highlighting specific themes or artists. On the other hand, the admission itself is free, and there are art works around the museum, so you can enjoy it for free. Of course, it is also good to enjoy the works of art in the paid area.
Admission fee
Permanent collection : 300 yen (adult), Free (child)
Special exhibitions : Varies depending on the exhibition
Opening hours
10:00 – 18:30 (October 1st to February 28th, Last admission is 18:00)
10:00 – 30 minutes after sunset (March 1st to September 30th, Last admission is sunset time)
The museum is designed to be spacious, with a little artwork on display. There is also a cafe and an observatory where you can take a short break while enjoying the scenery of Lake Shinji.
There are also many unique works of art outside the museum. Not only can you see these sculptures with your eyes, but you can also touch them.
One of the most well-known outdoor works is a work called “Lake Shinji Usagi”. Several rabbit sculptures seem to run towards Lake Shinji. The fact that every rabbit sculpture is so cute is one of the reasons for its popularity.
Access
Access to the sunset spot on Lake Shinji and Shimane Art Museum is described here. From the sunset spot, it is only about five-minute walk to the Shimane Art Museum. Buses are convenient for public transportation. JR Matsue Station Stop is just outside the north exit of JR Matsue Station.
JR Matsue Station Stop (JR松江駅), use Minami Junkan Sen Uchimawari (南循環線内回)
bus stop No.1
↓
Kenritsu Bijutsukan Mae Stop (Shimane Art Museum bus stop, 県立美術館前)
Time : 6 minutes
Fare : 210 yen (adult), 110 yen (child)
It takes about five minutes to walk from Kenritsu Bijutsukan Mae Stop to sunset spot.
If you like walking, it’s about a 15-minute walk from Matsue Station to the museum, so it’s a good idea to walk instead of using the bus.
Summary
Lake Shinji is a beautiful and culturally significant destination that attracts tourists from all over the world. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the area and engage in a range of activities such as boating and cycling. With its easy accessibility from JR Matsue station, Lake Shinji is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Shimane Prefecture.
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